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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil.Minutes.08-06-1993.Special 199 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. s�� Session Auyust 6, 19 � SLL.13703 SPECIAL SESSION - AUGUST 6, 1993 Council convened in special session on Friday, August 6, 1993, 12 Noon at the Golden Dragon Restaurant. Mayor Francis E. Rhodes and Council Members Melvin Gateley, Melvin Kasten, David Limbaugh were present. Council Members Doug Richards, Al Spradling III and Mary Wulfers were absent. The following people were also present Mitch Robinson, Cape Girardeau Area Industrial Recruitment; Walt Wildman,Regional Commerce and Growth Association; Bob Hendrix, Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; Dan Overbey, Southeast Missouri Port Authority, Representative Mary Kasten and John Freeze. Mayor Rhodes explained the purpose of the meeting was to canvas the August 3, 1993 election results and to discuss the Sister City Program with China. A motion was made by Mr. Limbaugh, seconded by Mr. Gateley to delay approval of the August 2, 1993 regular and executive session minutes until the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on August 16. The motion was approved by the following vote: Ayes, Gateley, Kasten, Limbaugh, Rhodes. Nays, none. Pursuant to Section 7.09 (a) of the City Charter, Council canvassed the returns and declared the results of the August 3, 1993, election, regarding the ward representation and City annexation of Twin Lakes, upon Dr. Kasten's motion, Mr. L'unbaugh's second and the following vote: Ayes, Gateley, Kasten, Limbaugh, Rhodes, Nays, none. Mr. Peter Choi discussed the Sister City Program. Mr. Choi distributed a memo which included a list of 10 items to be discussed when meeting with officials from China. The memorandum is attached hereto and made a part of these minutes (Exhibit A). Mr. Choi indicated that the Mayor of Shao�ng is atixious to move ahead and meet with representatives. Mr. Fischer stated that the following groups should also be involved in forming a delegation: State Economic Development Office, Industrial Recruitment Association, Chamber of Commerce, RCGA, the Port Authority and Representative Mary Kasten. Representative Kasten reported the State has tentatively set a trip to China in October and they will be taking representatives from cities who have the Sister City Program. At the � present time, St. Louis and Kansas City are the only Sister Cities. � ' Mr. Choi discussed the offices that would be set up in Cape Girardeau and in China. i Each City would provide office space for the other. Offices would provide literature and information on the Sister City program. I � 200 Proceedings of the City Council, City of Cape Girardeau, Mo. S�'� Session Auy�st 6 19 93 SLL.13703 Walt Wildman suggested that the City Council form a task force. The committee would then give a detailed report back to the Council. He also indicated that the State needs to be involved. Bob Hendrix stated he would like to see the University involved and reported that they have representatives in China at the present tune. Wa1t stated that this program has a lot of potential and that representatives from the following should be included: City, State, University, Peter Choi's organization, Port Authority and the Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Rhodes stated that the Industrial Recruitment Association should be involved also. Melvin Gateley made a motion, seconded by Dr. Kasten, that steps be taken to form a task force and that representatives from the organizations present today along with the University should set up the task force. Mr. Limbaugh moved that each representative present today should designate their own member for the task force and the committee should also include a City staff inember or Council member. Names for members of the task force should be presented to the Council at their next meeting. The motion was approved by the following vote: Ayes, Gateley, Kasten, Limbaugh, Rhodes. Nays, none. Mr. Fischer indicated that the task force should bring everything together and present it to the Council. He stated that the City would schedule a meeting for the group to put together the task force and would also include Representative Kasten. Mr. Choi asked if it would be possible to go in September. Walt Wildman stated that we should proceed slowly. He said the task force should set up a reasonable schedule. Mayor Rhodes stated that he would send a letter to the Mayor of Shaoxing to inform him that we have set up a task force and the steps we are taking to send a delegation to China. There being no further business before the Council, the meeting was adjourned upon a motion by Dr. Kasten, seconded by Mr. Limbaugh and the following vote: Ayes, Gateley, Kasten, Limbaugh, Rhodes. Nays, none. � ! , _. � � � �=��,�,l'e,� . ,� ��l .:a:� � Francis E. Rhodes, Mayor ► " �r�i� �,�i(,��, ���,i,�,� �.,�=� Kimberly A' Pruett Deputy City Clerk (�IIBIT A) 201 From: Peter Choi To: Mayor of Cpae Girardeau, Members of Cape Girardeau City Council Director of RCGA. � Director of Chamber of Commerce. � Director of SEMO Port Authr. � President of SEMO university .. Missouri House Representative Director of County Economic Commission Date: 8/5/1993 Subject- Delegation to Shaoging, China. Gentlemen, The City of Cape Girardeau and the City of Shaoxing had officially agreed to pursue a sister city and business trade relationship between both communities. In order to further established the trade relationship with City of Shaoxing, the Mayor of Shaoging has invited us to China for the discussion concerning business and Sister City program . The discussion will include the following: 1) Student Exchange, 2) Business relationship between both area, 3) Establish foreign trade between the cities. 4) Cultural Exchange, 5) Assist Chinese businesses in locate facilities in the Cape Girardeau area. 6) Set up a foreign trade zone in Cape Girardeau to assist Chinese manufacturees to produce their finish product within the zone, 7) Locate Chinese partners for joint venture with Missouri businesses, establish market for our raw material, agricultural product, comsumer products. 8) Discussion with Chinese custom official to solicit their cooperation. 9) Designation of of�icial office for the City of Cape Girardeau in Shaoxing, this has been already been proposed by SNMC. There would be no cost to the City of Cape Girardeau. the office would be use provide all informations concerning trade and business opportunities, and other pertinent information SNMC. has proposed that the official office be locate inside the Cultural Center in downtown Shaoxing. 10) The City Council and the Selection Committee should appiont the delegation members and determine the schedule for this visit the City of Shaoxing. � The City of Shaoxing will provide all expenses during stay inside China up to 5 � members for this delegation. Afetrthe Selection of the delegation and the schedule has been made. We witl �J notify the City of Shaoxing to make the preparationes for the meeting and the travel arrangement. , .. zoi Additional individual who wish to joint the official delegation, would be resposible for their own expenses. The Sister City program will benefit our community, including Economically, socially, and Culturally . Cape Girardeau citizens and businesses will benefit from this program. � � Thank you for your support. Peter Choi. �